The "Free Lesson" Department

Clicking on the title above will lead you to a really good online tutorial about the basics of using scratchboard. This fella, Russ McMullan,  is also very good and works differently from Mark Summers. See? A little somethin' for everyone. Feel the (scratchboard) love!

Mark Summers, Scratchboard GOD!

Hi Folks. Those of you working in scratchboard will be knocked out by Mark Summers' awesome skills. Click on the title above to be magically transported to the site of his rep, Richard Solomon, and see his work. And if that's not enough, here's another link. Most of his original work is very small size stuff. If you'd like to try this type of work do it now, while your youthful eyes can still see things at that size!

Joe Sacco: You'll Like His Work. And It's Important Work, Too!

Hi All, here's a general-purpose-we-love-graphic-storytelling link to check out. Joe Sacco's book, Palestine, was ground-breaking fifteen years ago. As time goes by it is still a powerful work and, as he notes in this interview, still sadly relevant.

This interview is a quick read, and previews a new anniversary release of Palestine that will include some of his process work, amongst other things.

ART 271, Your Lives Just Got Even BETTER!

Hey You'all,

Here is a link sent by bookplate fan Lewis Jaffe. He maintains a site that you'll find interesting and informative. Trust a bookplate fan!

Be sure to scroll down and find the genesis of this featured bookplate.

ART 271, Ex Libris: Just Another Name For a Super-Exciting Project!

Ex Libris

You will be designing a bookplate. What is a bookplate? Why are they important? What is interesting about them historically? What do you notice is done with them in contemporary times?

Also look up “Ex Libris” in Google, under “Images” and take note of the great variety that is included in terms of style and approach in this art form. Pay attention to what you see- what do these images say? What do they reflect?

Your image will be reproduced no larger than 3” x 3” in the end. You may work larger but you will all be scanning in your line art (the black and white art you are creating for this project) in order to make a sheet of stickers. You can add a single color to the bookplate digitally, but just one!

You will work either in linocut (linoleum, rubber or plastic block cut) or scratchboard. This is your choice. Materials for either can be purchased at the Lily Pad, Utrecht, Pearl Paint, Dick Blick, Jerry’s Artarama, etc.

Your theme is: “Who I am.” How does that relate to what you’ve already seen and learned about bookplates or “Ex Libris” so far?


You will:

Draw 20-30 thumbnail images documenting your early thoughts and ideas. These are very small (about 1” x 1”) and do not have to be detailed. In fact, if you are going right to the details of ANYTHING you are cutting off your brain and focusing on one thing too soon. Fight the urge to jump into developing details. You want to generate ideas, one after another, first. A good way to do thumbnails is with a pen or marker on copier paper, tracing paper, or in a sketchbook. These are not precious but they ARE very, very important.

Choose three thumbnails that you think have possibilities- rough them up larger (again, using only black). We will pin these up to look at them. These can be to size. NOW you can think in a more detailed fashion and draw accordingly- these are still not “finished” drawings but are close. These are called “comps” which is short for “comprehensive.”

After these three comps, you will choose one to refine and take forward. You'll go into your linocut or scratchboard piece during studio time this coming Thursday, the 31st.

January 22, 2008! Best Day of Your Life!

What it says! All the best info for your classes will be found here. No foolin'!